2013-01-14 — /travelprnews.com/ — Matilda and her new daughter have begun exploring their exhibit
WHO: The female eastern bongo calf born to Matilda on December 2, 2012, has begun making appearances with her mother in their outdoor habitat, and weekend visitors may catch a glimpse of the 5-week-old calf as she explores her new surroundings.
WHAT: The calf and Matilda are still adjusting to being on exhibit, so the pair currently has the option of choosing whether or not to spend time in their habitat. Lucky guests may be treated to a sighting of Matilda and her much-smaller shadow this Saturday or Sunday.
The calf represents a critically endangered species that could benefit from the high profile of an adorable baby. Eastern bongos are believed to number fewer than 500 in the wild in their native Kenya, where they face serious threats from habitat destruction and poaching for the bushmeat trade.
The calf is the first Zoo baby to debut in the new year – a distinction she shares with her older brother, Beauregard, who ironically was also born on December 2 of 2011. Beauregard now resides at the Fort Worth Zoo.
WHERE: Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30315
CONTACT: Keisha N. Hines, Director of Public Relations and Communications
404.624.5980 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
khines@zooatlanta.org
ABOUT: About Zoo Atlanta
An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,500 animals from around the world. A slate of new up-close-and-personal experiences opened in spring 2012: giraffe feeding, permitting guests to hand-feed Earth’s tallest living land mammals, and Wild Encounters, three new behind-the-scenes adventures with African elephants, giant pandas and Komodo dragon. Other highlights include the nation’s largest collection of western lowland gorillas, the nation’s largest zoological collection of orangutans and a global center of excellence for the care and study of vanishing reptiles and amphibians. The Zoo is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, call 404.624.WILD or visit zooatlanta.org.
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